Hard to say goodbye
Nearly one month after the City Council voted to award a construction contract that could result in the removal of more than 50 mature ficus trees along Second and Fourth streets, a group of so-called “tree savers” are strategizing ways to reverse the decision.
More than 18 people participated in the first Tree Savers meeting Wednesday night, each channeling their frustrations for about an hour before they were kicked out of the Santa Monica Place focus gallery because they did not have the mall’s permission to hold a public meeting.
The group was led by local activist and environmentalist Jerry Rubin, who heads the Alliance for Survival. The long-time Santa Monican has pledged to tie himself to a tree if he is unable to convince City Hall to reverse its decision.
“Civil disobedience is a last resort,” said Rubin, as he pulled some chains out of a bag.
The estimated $8.2 million streetscape improvement project would uproot 21 palm trees and 54 ficus trees from the downtown corridors. About 23 of the ficus trees that have been identified as diseased will be turned to mulch, while the remainder will be relocated to other areas throughout the city.
The empty plots will be planted with approximately two ginkgo biloba trees apiece.
The project also calls for beautifying Second and Fourth streets between Colorado Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, including improved lighting, illuminating the remaining ficus trees and installing accessible curb cuts and curb extensions.
The trees are a small portion of the entire streetscape project — costing roughly $600,000 — but the most controversial, as several residents have spoken out against spending money to move what they believe are healthy trees that offer welcome shade to passersby. Meanwhile, proponents argue that the plan would bring much needed improvements to two corridors that have not fared nearly as well as the Third Street Promenade.
“We say that $600,000 is better spent in planting more trees,” Rubin said.
With the most recent action taken by City Council, which would authorize the city manager to enter an agreement with the Griffith Company to move the project forward, it seems as though it could be too late to keep the trees where they stand.
The activists have one of two options, according to City Councilmember Kevin McKeown, who was the lone “no” vote last month. A City Council decision could be reversed if one of the six councilmembers that voted for the project announces they want to reconsider their decision and calls for another vote, McKeown said.
The other option, which McKeown didn’t state specifically, would be the filing of a lawsuit against City Hall. McKeown said his job is to protect City Hall, not bring about suits against it.
Though the outlook appears grim, the tree savers aren’t giving up.
“As long as the trees are alive, the issue is alive,” said Dan Jansenson, an architect with offices on Fourth Street.
Following the meeting, the tree savers walked down Fourth Street, carrying a sign that read “Save the Trees,” observing the trees marked for removal and walking in and out of businesses to enlist their support. One tree saver walked out of the clothing store Active and informed two kids on skateboards that the ficus trees were coming down. One of the skate-boarders appeared shocked, telling his friend that they should protest.
The group plans to tie green ribbons — which were donated by Michael’s — on the trees sometime next week.
One of the tree savers in attendance was filmmaker Chris Paine, who wrote and directed “Who Killed the Electric Car.”
“The world will see that Santa Monica is making an inane decision,” Paine said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 14, 2007. Read the original PDF.